Best Tools for Writers

This post contains affiliate links (you know, to support my book buying habit!).

Technically all you need to be able to write is a piece of paper and a pen. But where’s the fun in that? I love finding new things, trying out new products, and adding to my collection of writing tools. While paper and a writing utensil are the very basics you need to be able to write, there’s a whole slew of other tools I’ve found that make writing quicker, easier, and more fun.

I’ve arranged the best tools for writers into FOUR categories: books, technology, office supplies, and randomness.

Do you ever catch yourself writing “her heart beat faster” or “he scratched his head”over and over again? This book can help! Look up the emotion your character is feeling and it will give you a whole list of physical signals, internal responses, and more that show that emotion. It’s amazing!

This book goes into detail about writing for Young Adult and Middle Grade readers. Writing for kids is a whole different ballgame than writing for adults, and this book is full of tips, ideas, and information. It’s a must read for kid-lit writers!

Tools for Writers: Technology

This free app times your writing sprints, buzzes for you to stop, then prompts you to input your word count. It allows you to see your most recent sprints all at once to view progress. The paid version stores all past info for you and tracks it so you can see your averages (and hopefully your progress) over time.

K.M. Weiland does a really, REALLY good podcast. She covers a variety of topics and each episode is around twenty minutes, so they don’t take long to get through. I love her tips, advice, and soothing voice. I highly recommend it!

This is where I store my documents as an added backup. Plus, it’s nice to be able to access my writing from my desktop, my laptop, or my husband’s computer (especially on projects we co-write!). I’ve heard way too many horror stories from fellow writers about lost manuscripts. Back-up, back-up, back-up!

Twitter (and other online) Contests

Writing contests are so much fun, and there are a ton of them! #QueryKombat, #PitchWars, #pitmad, #pg70pit, #pitchslam, and many more! (Pitch Wars started today. It’s not too late to join in!)

This FREE website comes in handy when looking for an agent. Each agent has a (usually fairly current) list of what they’re looking for, what they like, and what they wish they could find. When you’re ready to begin the querying process, check it out.

I’m a proponent of cheap, basic pens. I’ve found they’re the best kind. Maybe it’s because I’m left-handed and almost everything else smears when I use it, but whatever the case, I’m sticking with them!

I love using highlighters during revisions. I pick a different category for each color, then highlight my copy accordingly. When I’m done, it’s easy to spot unbalanced areas and trouble shoot from there. BONUS: I have a beautiful rainbow manuscript!!!

When I do revisions on a printed out copy of my manuscript, I like to keep it on a clipboard. This prevents it from getting out of order, but allows me to pull out one page at a time as I work. Plus, it’s a desk and I can revise on my couch. Yep, I’m that lazy.

When I do printed out revisions, I write my notes directly on the manuscript itself. If the note will apply to a large portion of the manuscript, I write it on a sticky note that I keep on the first page of the document. Then when it’s time to revise the document on the computer, I pull off the sticky note and attach it to my computer screen for easy reference during full manuscript revisions.

Tools for Writers: Randomness

I don’t know about you, but I get really thirsty when I write. And stopping to refill my water isn’t any fun, which means I usually skip it. But then my throat gets dry and I’m so focused on that detail that my writing suffers. It’s an all-around not-so-good situation. So having a big, full container of water before I start is key. Plus, this one keeps water cold for a VERY long time. (Note: Costco sometimes has a two pack for super cheap. I want to say they were $23 there.)